"Arrestatie voormalig president Gbagbo geeft Ivoorkust kans om het land te herbouwen" (en) - Main contents

LI President Hans van Baalen MEP has welcomed the news of the arrest of the former President of Cote d'Ivoire Laurent Gbagbo.

“Today a new chapter opens in the history of Cote d'Ivore. The will of the people has prevailed, opening the possibility for the Allasane D. Ouattara to fully assume his responsibilities as President of the Republic. The UN Security Council Resolution 1975 should be fully implemented and the International Court of Justice should investigate the involvement of former President Laurent Gbagbo in committing crimes against his own people and against humanity. Violence must not go unpunished. At the same time, I welcome the message of the President Ouattara from Thursday night in which he committed himself to reconciliation, national unity and peaceful future. All Ivorian citizens must be protected from violence, regardless to who they supported during the elections. Now it is time to give Ouattara and the Ivoirians chance to rebuild their country”, said the LI President.

Van Baalen recalled the role played by Liberal International: “We stand proud with the years of advocacy for democracy in Cote d'Ivoire and the support given to free and fair elections. Liberal International sent a mission before, and during the elections in November 2010, led by LI Vice President Dzhevdet Chakarov MP. As liberals we have been vocal in support of the democratic change. Now, we will equally be vocal in supporting Cote d'Ivoire on the road to reconstruction, peace and prosperity. The African Union, the European Union and the United Nations must seize the momentum and extend their full assistance to Cote d'Ivoire and its President Allsane Ouattara”.